Cloud Computing Vs. Edge Computing: Who Wins the Race?

Both cloud computing and edge computing are new disciplines in the IT industry, but the one with the most advantages wins

The cloud's primary notion of providing a centralized data source that can be accessed from anywhere in the globe appears to be the polar opposite of edge computing's local data handling concept. In many respects, though, edge computing was created by the cloud. The big data movement would never have grown to such proportions without centralized data storage. Many internet payment providers, for example, would not exist and companies like Microsoft and Amazon would be very different from what they are now. We've spent some time attempting to sift out the benefits of edge and cloud computing. Which is the most effective? The solution isn't as simple as one would believe.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing refers to the storage, processing, computing, and analysis of large amounts of data on remote servers or data centers. It also refers to "the supply of many Internet-based services, such as data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software." Because data centers are frequently located in faraway locations, there is a time lag between data gathering and processing, which is usually undetectable in most use cases. In time-sensitive programs, however, this time latency, despite being measured in milliseconds, becomes critical. Consider real-time data collecting for a self-driving automobile, when delays might have disastrous implications.

Advantage of cloud computing

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service are the three basic categories of cloud computing (SaaS). High infrastructure availability, self-service provisioning, elasticity, mobility, workload resilience, migration flexibility, broad network access, disaster recovery, and pay-per-use are just a few of the advantages of cloud computing in the form of IaaS.

The back-and-forth movement of data from the point where it is created to the central server for processing and subsequently to the end-user requires a lot of bandwidth, which slows down data processing and transfer. Because emerging technologies and IoT devices require sub-second reaction times, the tendency is to locate data processing and analytics as near to the data source as feasible.

Edge computing

Edge computing, as opposed to cloud computing, brings computation, storage, and networking closer to the data source, lowering travel time and latency dramatically. The procedures take place near the device or at the network's edge, allowing for speedier reaction times. Edge applications limit the amount of data that has to be moved, as well as the traffic generated by those transfers and the distance that data has to travel.

Advantages of edge computing

The exponential rise of IoT devices necessitates a shift in how we collect and analyze data. Consider how many smart home gadgets you possess, and then consider how many are used in healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. The amount of data these devices send to servers regularly is enormous, and it frequently surpasses network bandwidth. Traditional centralized cloud architectures, no matter how strong or performant, can't keep up with these devices' real-time requirements.

While organizations employ content delivery networks (CDNs) to decentralize data and service provisioning by copying data closer to the user, edge computing uses smart devices, mobile phones, or network gateways to conduct tasks on behalf of the cloud, bringing computing power closer to the user. Edge applications enable lower latency and cheaper transmission costs by lowering data quantities and associated traffic. Edge computing's content caching, storage, and service delivery leads to faster response times and transfer rates.

Who wins the race?

Edge computing, according to some observers, may eventually supplant cloud computing because computing will become decentralized and the necessity for a centralized cloud would diminish. However, because their duties are distinct, this will not be the case. Edge computing devices are built to swiftly capture and process data on-site, as well as analyze data in real-time. It isn't concerned with data storage. Cloud computing, on the other hand, is built on infrastructure and can be quickly expanded to meet a variety of requirements. As a result, edge computing is appropriate for applications where every millisecond matters, whereas cloud computing is best for non-time-sensitive applications. Edge computing will most likely complement cloud computing rather than replace it.

The benefits of cloud computing are obvious. However, for some applications, relocating activities from a central place to the edge and bringing bandwidth-intensive data and latency-sensitive apps closer to the end-user is critical. However, because the process of putting up an edge computing infrastructure necessitates in-depth professional skills, it will be some time before mainstream adoption occurs.